I was thinking of making some small changes in the living room at a small budget. Cushions and covers are the best visible transformation for otherwise tired looking old living room. I will give you the picture before this change.
Those cushion covers were crocheted by me and ever since, I was using only them for past few years. I love the elegant look they brought moreover it is a proud display of my work. But a transformation is always welcome to add a look to the living room, again by something made by me.... Yes, I like that personal touch in display. [Saved my old crocheted ones (though don't look so old) for future use. The acrylic yarns have a pretty long life!!!].
Couple of months back, when I had been to market, I saw a vendor selling some blouse bits. So bought few of them as the deal was good. Also I had couple of polyester blouse bits at home which was given by someone on navratri. Since polyester blouses I don't wear, I saved them for some good use in future. Bought couple of more cushions on a sale and added the numbers. Too much of cushions will also not hold good. Cushions of different shapes are too good to use to enhance the look but as of now I restricted myself with this simple change as I can always add them to my future transformations.
While thinking of the changes in the living room, I decided I will make new covers for the cushions kept on the Sofa. Since, I already had crocheted ones, this time, I ended up with these lovely vibrant ones sewed by me. The sofa cushions are orange in color so to make them look great on it, I bought a sofa cover as well so they look great on the white background.
This Sewing project I had great struggle to understand as I have not learnt stitching / sewing / tailoring. So I took up one old store bought cushion cover and was studying at it. Watched few youtube vidoes on the same but they were of not much help as they had longer fabric and what I had are 80cm blouse bits. For a person who doesn't have a professional knowledge on this art, unless the exact measuring cloth is there, it is going to be a roller-coaster ride but this ride I enjoyed.
Let me share my sewing adventure of the Project Cushion Cover! ;-)
First I measured the cushion and it was 16" x 16" and I allowed a seam of 1", took a news paper and marked that measurement in it as I don't want to damage or waste the fabric. I tried one trial cutting sewing-assembly in it to see if I can get the same like the model I had.
Then I placed that on the fabric so that it is cut without much wastage, then marked the outer lines. Cut them and sewed them. Added few press buttons to keep the openings intact. The remaining fabric I have saved them for future projects where I can combine two colors and make a mix match covers. A thrilling experiment it will definitely going to be!!
I enjoyed learning the technicalities of each provision given in the sewing machine and it was fun. First the cushions were looking plain and simple. Then I used the zigzag stitch to give a decorative finish to the covers outside at the ends.
The first cushion took 2 hours as I had struggle in cutting, assembling with few trial & error in the sttiching.. I had to remove the stitches as back and front got mixed up where inner side is seen out... jumbled... haha... but I enjoyed it as it was a learning experience for me. I think this is the first time, the otherwise idle sewing machine is put to max use :P
Then the I stitched the second one keeping the errors & corrections of my first experience, then I got the hang of it.
The subsequent ones, happened quicker than the previous ones.. thus ended up with those lovely ones...
Just mixing them or arranging them in different order each day will bring in some change!
Adding some sequins or readymade golden borders or pom poms / tassels on the corners will give them that traditional royal touch! But as of now, I have decided to leave them as it is!
Adding some sequins or readymade golden borders or pom poms / tassels on the corners will give them that traditional royal touch! But as of now, I have decided to leave them as it is!
If you have small polyester blouse bits and wish to give a try, sewing cushion covers is not a rocket science! All the best!